This might be the longest time I have ever gone between blog posts. I would go back and look to see if that is true, but that would distract me from actually posting something. I have no excuse for my absence other than not feeling very inspired to write anything. I think the twitter and the facebook and the instagram are sapping some of my creative energy. Perhaps all of it.

I’ve also been in a reading slump. Although, unlike my normal reading slumps, I haven’t felt like I’m in one. I haven’t had any of the feelings of disappointment, ennui, and panic that normally beset me when I am in a slump. In fact, I’ve kind of been enjoying not reading. So does it count as a slump? It certainly does if you just look at the number of books read. I’m at 34 for the year, and haven’t finished a book since May 29th. (Actually, looking back, that total is pretty on par for this time of year. Last year was the anomaly when I was at about 54 books at this point in the year.) At any rate, in recent days the slump has started to feel like a slump and I need to turn that around. Number one is turning off the screens at night. I’ve slipped quite a bit in my normal protocol of turning everything off by 9:00 each night.

I am going to have a series of bookstore-related posts in the coming days. I was in Seattle and Tacoma for work earlier in the month and managed to visit quite a few bookstores and to lug home quite a few books. So until those bookish posts are ready, here are some lovely pictures of Seattle.

Trying to avoid the annoying people next to me on the plane, I forced myself to work to help make the time pass (despite having three novels in my bag). When I came up for air I noticed Mt. Ranier was out to say hello.There are many things that are cool about Seattle but I was particularly taken with all of the gardens. Everyone seems to have green fingers in Seattle.I’m dying to hear what he sounds like.This picture and the next picture are actually in Tacoma.Can you believe what this homeowner has down with the verge between the sidewalk and the street. Unbelievably gorgeous.

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9 thoughts on “Long time no see”

I can’t find the Tenderness EP anywhere. Is LoFi the name of the group? You know how years ago they used to say that if kids watch a lot of television, it not only takes away reading time but lowers their attention span for it? Well, I suspect that is going on now with all the social media. Everyone has to make their own peace and find their own balance with internet stuff. Good to see you had a new post. Seattle is so pretty. And I love the verge. What a great thing to do.

Welcome back! I, too, have had to limit time with social media as it was sapping my energy and ability to think, too. Since my hiatus, reading and writing have both gotten easier… I hope it works for you. Looking forward to your bookstore posts!

Welcome back Thomas! I am always happy to read a post from you whether about books or otherwise.

Your pictures are gorgeous. In particular, I love the plants. I have a sidewalk verge in front of my house which could be planted, but I do not have a green thumb, unfortunately. So it is now just weeds and dirt. : (

The verge is beautiful (and I never knew that was the name for that bit between sidewalk and street, so thank you.) I know what you mean about blogging breaks and reading slumps — I took a long break last year, almost four months between blog posts. I just did not have the energy to write anything, though I did read somewhat. Your trip to Seattle sounds great (apart from the annoying neighbors on the plane. I love the photo of Mt. Rainier.

I’ve been having a blogging slump and also a blog-reading slump (but not a book-reading slump, which is useful, given my horrendous massive buying spree!). And you know what – you make five. There must be something going on. Glad you’re back on it now.

They’re called parking strips in the NW and gardeners are voracious there. It barely rains in the summer so they also have to be drought tolerant plantings No one ever seems to mention the University Book Store in the U District of Seattle – not walking distance from downtown, though, but about a century old and a big indie bookstore.